Kramer vs. Kramer ← Deer Hunter, The Ordinary People → Kramer vs. Kramer October 11th, 2009 · No Comments · 1979 , Adaptation , Color , Columbia Pictures , Drama , Dustin Hoffman , Kramer vs Kramer , Meryl Streep , Mid-Point , Plot Point I , Plot Point II , Screenplay Structure Kramer vs. Kramer, the three-hanky movie that pits the sizable talents of Meryl Streep against those of Dustin Hoffman (on opposite sides of a custody battle for the divorcing couple’s son), is a well-constructed film that still holds up some 30 years after it was released. In fact, some scenes – like the “French-toast scene” – are iconic, talked about by fans and critics alike…and analyzed in great detail by screenwriting gurus such as Robert McKee. Before I do a little analyzing of my own, I want to point out a scene that made me chuckle: 4:41 into the movie, Ted Kramer (Hoffman) and his boss stroll the sidewalk at night. The movie’s sprightly theme song, which opened the movie, plays under their conversation as they walk.

Suddenly, they pass two street musicians who are the very people playing said sprightly theme song. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen that kind of a visual joke in a movie before. I have mixed emotions about Kramer vs. Kramer. Meryl Streep’s character, Joanna Kramer, starts the movie as a whiny, emotionally fragile woman who walks out on her son and husband. Frankly, I have no sympathy for her. Walking out on a husband is one thing. But walking out on one’s own child is something else entirely. So from the get-go I’m taking sides, preferring one Kramer over the other. Screenplay Structure – Kramer vs. Kramer ACT I Inciting Incident: Happens in the first minutes of the movie when Joanna Kramer walks out on her husband and son. That sets the movie in motion and is, in fact, the movie’s reason for existence. If she had not walked out, there would be no Kramer vs. Kramer. Plot Point I: 34:40 into the movie Ted’s boss chews him out for being late to the meeting a couple scenes prior to this one.

Usually, Point Point I appears before 30 minutes into a movie, typically around 25-28 minutes in. This time, however, Plot Point I shows up nearly five minutes after the 30-minute mark. Act II Mid Point: Although the scene of Billy falling off the jungle gym and bleeding all over the place also happens near the mid point of the movie, that doesn’t suffice as a mid point in my book. It doesn’t spin the movie in a different direction, or keep the audience guessing what happens next. It seemed to be an isolated incident. The real mid point happens at 52:08 (precisely the mid point of the movie!) when Ted picks up the ringing phone in his office and says, “Joanna?” The two meet at a restaurant. The reason why this is the mid point is because this event is a major turning point, the thing needed in Act II to keep the audience watching. When Ted gets the call from Joanna, the audience first wonders if the couple will reconcile. Then, when it’s obvious they won’t, the audience wonders what’ll happen next. Plot Point II: Occurs at One hour and 34 minutes, 22 seconds into the film.

Ted Kramer walks into a bar to meet with his attorney, John Shaunessy. Ted looks at John and immediately knows, “I lost it.” Yes. The judge awarded custody of Billy Kramer to Joanna. This is a major turning point. Now what will happen? Will Ted appeal? Will Joanna have a change of heart? This is a brilliant Plot Point II. It keeps the audience on the edge of its seat. Act III A very short Act in Kramer vs. Kramer. In fact, only about 10 minutes in length. Of course, Meryl Streep cried her eyes out again. Given all the crying she had to do in the film, I’m surprised she had any tears left. I always enjoy watching behind-the-scenes features. But the one on this DVD was especially informative. Lots of scenes were improvised. Some were a surprise even to the actor(s) and crew involved (like when Dustin slams th wine glass against the wall in the restaurant; Meryl didn’t know he was going to do that). The Cast Avery Corman (1935- ), (novel) Robert Benton, 1932- ), (written by) Kramer vs.

Kramer was nominated for nine Academy Awards and won five: Best Actor in a Leading Role (Dustin Hoffman), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Meryl Streep), Best Director (Robert Benton), Best Picture, and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (Robert Benton). The little boy who played Billy (Justin Henry) was nominated as Best Actor in a Supporting Role, which made him (at age eight) the youngest nominee for a competitive award in Academy history. Apparently, this film was influential in changing divorce laws, which almost always favored the mother in custody battles. Thanks to Kramer vs. Kramer, so says the people interviewed for the making-of, more fathers than ever before were given custody. Tags: Kramer vs. Kramer Movie Review What parents need to know Positive messages Encourages understanding, sensitivity, responsibility, and tenderness in child-parent relationships, focusing on father-child. Advocates hear both sides of the story and respect differing points of view. The film gives forceful examples of positive ways of dealing with disappointment, anger, and fear.

Positive role models Follows the "adventures" of Ted Kramer as he is transformed from a self-centered, career-driven man to a loving, effective father with a clear sense of purpose and balance in his life. Each "mistake" results in a new insight. Filmmakers take care to help the audience understand what drives the woman who seemingly abandons her young son. The businessmen depicted tend toward stereotype with little awareness of family. Little ethnic diversity (some background players). Violence In a suspenseful sequence, Billy, age 6, falls from a jungle gym. His face is bloody, and his father rushes through city streets to get him to an emergency room, where a doctor stitches a gash in his face. Some tension during father-son arguments; the dad carries the screaming boy to his room. Sex A couple is shown in bed after having sex. In what is intended to be comically embarrassing, the nude woman gets up and goes into the hallway, where she unexpectedly encounters a 6-year-old boy and uses her hands to cover her genitalia, but her breasts are visible. She's also seen fully naked from behind. Some couples are seen kissing at a holiday party.

Language Multiple instances of "goddamn it." One "s--t" and one "bastard." Consumerism Some grocery items are seen on market shelves and in the Kramer kitchen (among them are Tab, Tide, Special K and Total cereals, Schrafft's ice cream). A few liquor brands are visible on a bar counter (Seagram, Beefeater, JB). Singer sewing machine, Burberry, Miriam Rigler Bridal store. Drinking, drugs, & smoking Casual social drinking occurs in several dinner, restaurant, and party scenes. Ted Kramer pours himself a drink after a particularly difficult moment with his little boy. A few characters smoke upon occasion. Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that this multiple award-winning film about the wrenching truths of divorce and its effects on both parents and kids has moments of great humor as well as heartbreak. Watching the relationship between a clueless dad (as he becomes a dedicated, loving father) and his young son (as he learns to deal with the pain of losing his mother) is suspenseful, very intense, and highly moving.

Made in 1979, the filmmakers made a groundbreaking effort to treat a mother, who leaves her young son behind, with dignity and understanding. Following a bedroom scene showing two adults after a sexual encounter, a naked woman comes face to face with a little boy in the hallway (breasts clearly visible as she attempts to cover her genitals); the moment is played for comic effect and embarrassment rather than sexual provocativeness. In one tense, lengthy sequence, a child falls from a jungle gym, is rushed to an emergency hospital, and undergoes stitches on camera. There is occasional swearing ("goddammit"). Adult beverages are consumed in a number of social situations, and, once, the dad uses alcohol after a particularly difficult argument with his son. A few people smoke. User reviews Review this title! What's the story? In 1979's KRAMER VS. KRAMER (winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture), Ted Kramer (Oscar-winner Dustin Hoffman ) is thunderstruck when his wife, Joanna (Oscar-winner Meryl Streep ) leaves him and their 6-year-old son without warning.

Ted has been a single-minded advertising man, insensitive to his wife's growing depression and barely involved in raising Billy. Initially, thrown by circumstances into a new role, new priorities, and unexpectedly intense emotions, Ted agonizingly reaches deep inside himself for untapped sources of compassion and strength. Just as the Ted-Billy relationship reaches a comfortable, loving place (but not without issues that must be addressed), Joanna returns to New York City to regain custody of her little boy. Again, Ted is called upon to use his wits, his friendships, and his humanity to keep Billy in his life. Is it any good? QUALITY This film is a stellar example of collaborative filmmaking. For starters, it boasts extraordinary performances from Hoffman and Streep (both of whom won their first Academy Awards for the film) and probably one of the finest child performances ever from Justin Henry. In the artful, sensitive hands of Robert Benton (winner of the Academy Award for Best Director) and with the clear commitment of the performers, this movie maintains a constant focus on truth-telling and the in-depth examination of separation at a time during which divorce was becoming a primary force in the American landscape.

It's true that the people portrayed are decidedly middle and upper middle class, but the humanity and honesty are universal. Older kids and teens may be inspired to talk with their families about this sensitive subject matter, and kids and parents who've been through divorce will find much that is relatable. Families can talk about... Families can discuss how expectations of fathers have changed since this movie was made in 1979. How do current movies and television programs show the involvement of dads today? Give some examples. Did your feelings about Joanna (the mom) change by the end of the story? What techniques did the filmmakers use, and how did Meryl Streep's performance help you understand her point of view? Why was the courtroom sequence meaningful? Was it important for the audience to hear each person's side of the story? Was it important for the characters to hear each other's side of the story? Ted, Joanna, and Billy Kramer had few financial issues to face. How might the movie have been different if the family had had money problems?

Movie details Meryl Streep Biography (Actor) Birthplace: Summit, New Jersey Best known as: The multi-Oscared star of Out of Africa and The Devil Wears Prada Meryl Streep has been nominated for 19 Academy Awards -- more than any other actor in history. Meryl Streep first came to fame in 1979, when she won an Emmy for her performance in the TV miniseries Holocaust and was nominated for her first Oscar for the 1978 film The Deer Hunter (starring Robert DeNiro and Christopher Walken ). In 1980, Meryl Streep won an Oscar as best supporting actress for the 1979 divorce drama Kramer v. Kramer (co-starring Dustin Hoffman ). She was nominated again for The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981), and won again for Alan Pakula 's Sophie's Choice (1982, based on the novel by William Styron ).

Nominations followed for Silkwood (1983, with Cher ), Out of Africa (1985, with Robert Redford ), Ironweed (1987, with Jack Nicholson ) and Postcards From the Edge (1991, with Shirley MacLaine ), among many other performances. Despite her successful forays into comedy, Meryl Streep is mostly known as a serious dramatic actress -- talented, intelligent and a specialist in accents and dialects. Streep worked less while she raised a family during the 1990s, but she still turned in critically-acclaimed performances in television and film and racked up more Oscar nominations for films including The Bridges of Madison County (1995, opposite Clint Eastwood ), Music From the Heart (1999), Adaptation (2002, starring Nicolas Cage ), The Devil Wears Prada (2006, starring Anne Hathaway ) and Doubt (2008, with Philip Seymour Hoffman ).

She played jolly chef Julia Child in the 2009 film Julie and Julia (with Amy Adams ) and earned her 16th nomination, then was nominated again as Margaret Thatcher in the 2011 film The Iron Lady. Her Oscar for that film was her third win. She was also nominated, yet again, for the 2013 film August: Osage County and the 2014 film Into the Woods. Extra credit: Meryl Streep married sculptor Donald Gummer in 1978. They have four children: Henry (b. 1979), Mary (nicknamed Mamie, b. 1983), Grace (b. 1986), and Louisa (b. 1991). Mamie Gummer is also an actress… Before her marriage to Gummer, Meryl Streep was engaged to actor John Cazale, who played Fredo in The Godfather. They never married, as Cazale died of bone cancer in 1978… Meryl Streep’s 2003 Oscar nomination for Adaptation was her 13th, establishing the new record for an actress.

Katharine Hepburn had 12 nominations and four wins; animator and producer Walt Disney holds the all-time Oscar nomination record, with 64… Academy Award ceremonies are held the year after films are released, which is why (for instance) Streep’s Oscar for the 1978 film The Deer Hunter was given in 1979. Copyright © 1998-2017 by Who2?, LLC. All rights reserved. Advertisement Advertisement Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error From $2.99 (SD) on Amazon Video ON DISC Ted Kramer's wife leaves her husband, allowing for a lost bond to be rediscovered between Ted and his son, Billy. But a heated custody battle ensues over the divorced couple's son, deepening the wounds left by the separation.

Director: Avery Corman (from the novel by), Robert Benton (written for the screen by) Stars: a list of 44 titles created 22 Mar 2012 a list of 32 titles created 10 Aug 2012 a list of 42 titles created 10 Feb 2013 a list of 37 titles created 02 Jan 2015 a list of 34 titles created 04 Oct 2015 Title: Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) 7.8/10 Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Won 5 Oscars. Another 32 wins & 23 nominations. See more awards » Videos Selfish yuppie Charlie Babbitt's father left a fortune to his savant brother Raymond and a pittance to Charlie; they travel cross-country. Director: Barry Levinson An old Jewish woman and her African-American chauffeur in the American South have a relationship that grows and improves over the years.

Director: Bruce Beresford The accidental death of the older son of an affluent family deeply strains the relationships among the bitter mother, the good-natured father, and the guilt-ridden younger son. Director: Robert Redford In 20th-century colonial Kenya, a Danish baroness/plantation owner has a passionate love affair with a free-spirited big-game hunter. Director: Sydney Pollack A naive hustler travels from Texas to New York to seek personal fortune but, in the process, finds himself a new friend. Director: John Schlesinger Follows hard-to-please Aurora looking for love and her daughter's family problems. Director: James L. Brooks Lt. John Dunbar, exiled to a remote western Civil War outpost, befriends wolves and Indians, making him an intolerable aberration in the military. Director: Kevin Costner At the close of WWII, a young nurse tends to a badly-burned plane crash victim. His past is shown in flashbacks, revealing an involvement in a fateful love affair. Director: Anthony Minghella Michael Dorsey, an unsuccessful actor, disguises himself as a woman in order to get a role on a trashy hospital soap.

Director: Sydney Pollack The story of the final Emperor of China. Director: Bernardo Bertolucci A young Shakespeare, out of ideas and short of cash, meets his ideal woman and is inspired to write one of his most famous plays. Director: John Madden Murderesses Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart find themselves on death row together and fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows in 1920s Chicago. Director: Rob Marshall Edit Storyline Ted Kramer is a career man for whom his work comes before his family. His wife Joanna cannot take this anymore, so she decides to leave him. Ted is now faced with the tasks of housekeeping and taking care of himself and their young son Billy. When he has learned to adjust his life to these new responsibilities, Joanna resurfaces and wants Billy back. Ted, however, refuses to give him up, so they go to court to fight for the custody of their son. Written by Leon Wolters <wolters@strw.LeidenUniv.nl> There are three sides to this love story!

Genres: 19 December 1979 (USA) See more » Also Known As: Kramer Versus Kramer See more » Filming Locations: The first cut ran 43 minutes longer than the eventual film. See more » Goofs When they meet over wine; the ashtray changes position on the table from when he walks in & is then sitting down. See more » Quotes Joanna Kramer : I love you, Billy. Billy Kramer : I love you too, Mommy. (Chicago, Illinois) – See all my reviews I consider myself lucky that I got to view a wonderful movie with two marvelous actors. "Kramer vs. Kramer" was great to me because I think I could relate to it. Unfortunately, my parents are divorced. Even though I was older than Billy in this movie, I felt his pain and confusion. Having two parents who you thought were happy and end up hating each other is the worst. Through this movie, actually, I think it made me realize that my parents are people too, and they had as just much pain as my sister and I had. Back to the movie, this was a good one. Yes, it's dated and Meryl and Dustin are very young.

But I would recommend this for a lot of people, because I think most can relate in some way. There are funny, sad, happy, and relieving moments that are carried away terrificly by these great actors. It's a good movie and deserves more credit than a 7.5. 9/10 52 of 62 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes Kramer vs Kramer (1979) Follow DL on Kramer vs Kramer (1979) It's amazing, on reflection, what a big deal, high profile film this was back in '79. Probably it would be 'Art House' today or wouldn't it be made at all or...Julia Roberts in the Meryl role. That really wouldn't really have cut the mustard, would it? It would just be a very unmemorable 'chick flick'. I'm amazed I've never seen a K vs K thread on DL and would be interested to hear your opinions. The reunion between Joanna & her son, in Central Park, always gets me.

by Anonymous reply 78 12/12/2011 Not only would the film never be made today, the novel on which it was based would never be published today. by Anonymous reply 1 11/11/2011 It was an audience favorite at the time. I remember watching it in a theater and the scene where he tells the kid not to eat the ice cream got big laughs. by Anonymous I never understand why they don't just get joint custody. by Anonymous reply 3 11/11/2011 I guess I had a good father. I could never understand why it was such a revelation that a father could not only take care of his son but also enjoy spending time with him. by Anonymous reply 4 11/11/2011 It's a competent and intelligent movie, given how the same subject could get the TV movie treatment on Hallmark or Lifetime these days. But what put it over at the time was exactly what R4 alludes to--it was a revelation, especially to all the boys in the Alpha Hollywood club feeling guilty for not being around for their kids.

by Anonymous reply 5 11/11/2011 I don't think the story was so much a revelation that a divorced man could be a good full-custody father. The story was that such a father would be systematically destroyed by a legal system that, practically without fail, always favors the mother. by Anonymous Well, maybe leaving their child for dead, R7. by Anonymous reply 8 11/12/2011 Always loved this movie. When dustin hoffman droppped the boy off at school and he didnt know what grade he was in. Great detail. Even 30 years ago it said a lot about people who forsake their kids for their careers. Meryl streep at her best back when she was actually winning oscars. Her courtroom scenes are riveting. Dustin hoffman is perfect and deserved his oscar too. by Anonymous reply 9 11/12/2011 I can't help but think of the original actress they had in mind for the Streep role -- Kate Jackson. She would have been brilliant and it would have led to other roles.

She might not have won the Oscar, but I think she would have given an under-stated, sensational performance. I read or heard that the Charlie's Angels people wouldn't let her out of her contract to go film the role. I go back and forth on this. She was no fan of the lackluster material on CA, but then don't sign up for it. Still, it would have changed her career and I do think she's a terrific actress. Meryl, though, I hear is a sweatheart of a person. by Anonymous reply 10 11/12/2011 That was a tough loss for Jackson. Must have been hard not to wonder what the film would have led to. by Anonymous reply 11 11/12/2011 The scene with the nude JoBeth Williams and the little boy would definitely not be filmed today. by Anonymous reply 13 11/12/2011 Kate Jackson was devastated by not being let out of her contract to do KRAMER.

Though she tried her hand at another serious movie with MAKING LOVE a few years later, by then she knew that she should stay in television and continued with another successful hit series SCARECROW AND MRS. KING. At the time of KRAMER, though, she was a huge star, as big as Farrah was. by Anonymous reply 14 11/12/2011 Wait, didn't Meryl Streep lose custody because she left Dustin Hoffman for another woman? If I'm remembering it correctly, that would never happen today. At least in blue states. by Anonymous reply 15 11/12/2011 I think Meryl Streep brought a lot to that role in terms of humanising her and making her less of an obvious villain. I'm not sure Kate Jackson would've had the same impact. Streep stood up to Hoffman; don't know if Jackson would've had the balls to do that. Streep and Hoffman never worked together again, same with Lange and Hoffman. I admire them all though. by Anonymous reply 16 11/12/2011 R15 ive seen the film a few times.

Nowhere in the movie does it state joanna the streep character left for another woman. In court its revealed she has another lover but male or female never specified. by Anonymous If this film were made today Hilary Swank would be playing Streep's part. by Anonymous reply 23 11/12/2011 It's a sexist film, and it came out as part of the whole "backlash" phenomenon (which is still going on today, as far as I'm concerned). It was criticized, at the time, for having a dated view on women and men, particularly in their roles as parents. But it was a film that was meant for most Americans, who've never intellectually considered any issue for longer than a minute and a half. Today, it would be on Lifetime, starring Kevin Sorbo and Heather Locklear. by Anonymous reply 24 11/12/2011 It was a very stylish film. The music. The locations. Meryl looked striking and ethereal and was, by and large, new to the cinema audience.

I recently came across one of those movie books they used to publish (maybe still do), 'Film '79/80' or something like that and was suprised to see a photo Kramer v Kramer on the cover, representing the year. Just shows what a big deal the film was at the time. A sensitive, adult themed film on the cover of a movie annual! by Anonymous reply 25 11/12/2011 R25 totally agree. Loved jane alexander in this also as the divorced caring friend of hoffman and streep. by Anonymous reply 26 11/12/2011 [quote]Loved jane alexander in this also as the divorced caring friend of hoffman and streep. Yes, she really added a lot to the whole quality of the film. A very warm, understated performance. Supporting characters, when they are good, bring much more weight to a film, than people often realise. by Anonymous reply 27 11/12/2011 In the novel, the wife is a cardboard villainess.

Writer-director Robert Benton and Streep make her more complex, but the film doesn't completely succeed in overcoming the fact that her character's behavior at the begining is completely passive-aggressive, and it's almost impossible to make her truly sympathetic. The structure of the plot is set up to make the husband the hero, even though it does make it clear that he's a careerist for whom family comes a distant second. So he has to learn responsibility. And since we take that journey with him (and never see the wife's parallel journey), he automatically "wins." And yes, the film and the novel's purpose is to show that fathers have few rights in custody hearings. by Anonymous reply 28 11/12/2011 I was 15 when this movie came out and for some reason I couldn't wait to see it. It must have been my gay teen love for Meryl already blooming. I also liked Jane Alexander back then as well. Loved the music and the style of this movie and the NYC location. by Anonymous Justin Henry gave one of the most unaffected child performances ever committed to film.

by Anonymous 11/12/2011 [quote] Loved the music and the style of this movie and the NYC location. It really captures the era. New York was very much the city of the moment in the late 70s, in more ways than one. People were fascinated by it in the same way as they had been with films set in London in the 60s. This and Annie Hall, Manhattan, Unmarried Woman, several others... by Anonymous reply 31 11/12/2011 Good movie. Important movie. But, I don't think it's as a great it's been made out to be. Of course, I don't determine these things. by Anonymous reply 32 11/12/2011 I remember when Hoffman's character has to get a job quickly so he's willing to settle for a pay cut and he negotiates something like a $28,000 salary. How times have changed. by Anonymous reply 33 11/12/2011 "It was criticized, at the time, for having a dated view on women and men, particularly in their roles as parents.

" In your alternate reality, maybe. by Anonymous [quote]Justin Henry gave one of the most unaffected child performances ever committed to film. All that brat did was cry and eat French toast. by Anonymous reply 35 11/13/2011 OP, are you aware the oscar winner last year and a very big hit at the box office was The King's Speech? Why would you find it so difficult to believe that a movie like Kramer vs Kramer couldn't be similarly receieved today? You remind me of the guy who was so amazed that Doctor Zhivago could be such a big hit, as if The English Patient had never happened 25 years later? Maybe you're the same poster. Kramer vs. Kramer was a very successful novel, attracted top talent, and was a very well written movie on a hot subject, divorce, custody and sexual politics. It is really no surprise it was a very successful movie. by Anonymous Why exactly are some of you convinced Kramer vs. Kramer wouldn't be made or popular today? All kinds of movies get made today.

Up In The Air, Juno, Brokeback Mountain, Sideways, Lost in Translation, the soon to be released The Descendants are all, some more broadly speaking than others, similar type movies and did very well. The Kings Speech, a period movie about the royals made $400,000,000 at the box office internationally. And grabbed the best picture oscar. A best selling novel about a woman who leaves her kid and the ensuing child custody battle starring a big name actor and an up and coming actress? Why not? by Anonymous reply 39 11/13/2011 r34, it might have been criticized for having a dated view of the roles of men and women, but given that it was surprisingly sympathetic to an unhappy woman who leaves her family, especially her very young child, at the same time it showed how a father can be just as deserving of custody as a mother, it seemed not at all dated. Just the opposite. It seemed downright enlightened. I have no doubt that there might have been such criticisms. There is always spin. But the criticism that the sex roles depicted in Kramer vs. Kramer were obsolete was completely unpersuasive.

by Anonymous reply 40 11/13/2011 I think it was popular because it captured the sociological '70s zeitgeist so well. Divorce really only became socially acceptable in the mid '70s. The women's liberation movement forced people to rethink gender roles, whether they wanted to or not. Joanna Kramer was certainly a lightening rod for that - was she enlightened or selfish? She still comes off as just ungrateful to Ted Kramer for all the he provided for her and their son. It might seem tame by today's standards but it was pretty relevant back then. Of course, the joke was in Kramer vs. Kramer, Dustin Hoffman convinced us he was a better mother than a woman. In Tootsie, he was better at being a woman than women. by Anonymous The movie's very good, it follows the book very closely. Of course with the book, you get a much better feel for Joanna's unhappiness. I didn't see it mentioned upthread, but the movie's ending is different than the films. Joanna gets custody and doesn't change her mind in the book. She takes the son at the end of the book.

I was surprised the movie's ending was different than the books. by Anonymous reply 47 11/13/2011 Wish I could find a clip of the SNL sketch "Kramer vs. Godzilla" because any mention of Kramer vs. Kramer still makes me think of it. I remember during that Academy Awards season most "serious" film types thought Kramer vs Kramer was middlebrow Oscar-bait and Apocalypse Now or All that Jazz deserved best picture. My favs of the nominees were ATJ and Breaking Away. by Anonymous reply 49 11/13/2011 Yeah and you know Meryl looks back and thinks, "Fuck! I thought if they gave me an Oscar for THAT I'd win one every year!" She's done much better work than that since then though, of course, the best for her is to top Sophie's Choice. It's a curse!

by Anonymous reply 50 11/13/2011 Interesting piece of trivia: I saw an interview with Meryl Streep in which she said that in the scene where she's in the elevator, leaving him, Dustin Hoffman reached over and slapped her across the face just before they rolled camera. by Anonymous Overrated film on all levels. by Anonymous reply 58 11/13/2011 [quote]Joanna gets custody and doesn't change her mind in the book. She takes the son at the end of the book. no!!!r47. In the book she gets custody and then has another breakdown and in the elevator she just tells Ted to keep him because she can't handle it. In the movie she seems to not take him because she feels that is what is best for the kid whereas in the book she is being unstable again. The director supposedly listened to Streep's ideas to make her seem a better mother. by Anonymous reply 59 11/13/2011 "Because it would have Anne Hathaway or Hilary Swank playing the mother. That's why.

And some non actor like Gerard Butler would be playing the father." My point wasn't that it would be anywhere nearly as good. My point was that it would have no trouble getting made. by Anonymous reply 60 11/13/2011 Meryl once said in an interview that for every single character she plays, she invents a secret about that character that she never reveals to anyone, but somehow affects every single thing about her characterization. I always felt that the secret for her character in Kramer vs. Kramer was that she never wanted to have a baby. by Anonymous Kate had Big Plans Too Didn't quite work out as she planned by Anonymous reply 62 11/13/2011 The reason it wouldn't be made today is that it's about a very dated issue: a single father. This is the 21st century, folks. All kinds of child custody in play now. by Anonymous reply 63 11/13/2011 [quote]My point wasn't that it would be anywhere nearly as good. My point was that it would have no trouble getting made. I know what your point was.

I was just giving my opinion on Why Not?, or why I hope they do not remake it. by Anonymous reply 64 11/13/2011 I heard Streep say that the secret she had while playing the wife was that she never really loved the husband. Speaking of Streep, here is a great documentary...enjoy. THEATRE OF WAR about the Public Theater's production of MOTHER COURAGE. by Anonymous reply 65 11/14/2011 "I always felt that the secret for her character in Kramer vs. Kramer was that she never wanted to have a baby." You have quite an imagination! by Anonymous reply 66 11/14/2011 I always thought she left the husband and kid because she just couldn't take one more fucking breakfast of french toast. by Anonymous reply 67 11/14/2011 R16, when stating - Streep and Lane "stood up to Hoffman" are you implying that Hoffman was notoriously difficult to work with?

by Anonymous reply 68 11/14/2011 In one of the newsmagazine interviews, Streep said that when she first met Hoffman, he said "Hi, I'm (burp) Dustin" then he put his hand on her breast. by Anonymous reply 69 11/14/2011 [quote]I'm amazed I've never seen a K vs K thread on DL and would be interested to hear your opinions. What is Kramer vs. Kramer? I would like to help you out but I don't know what you are talking about. by Anonymous 11/14/2011 R34/40...you're idiots. There was feminist criticism of the film, and the criticism was completely legitimate. Some of us spent time as political activists...we didn't all swoon over the "look" of a film. Streep's character is the villain, and that villainy is tied to her attempt to become independent. Many women accomplished that without abandoning their children, even in divorce situations, believe it or not. Streep's performance adds some depth to the character, but the script itself certainly does not.

The film is about how endearing fathers are, particularly when they step out of their assigned gender role to parent their child. When women step out of their assigned gender roles, however, they're bitches. The film was a backlash film, there's no question of that. by Anonymous reply 71 11/14/2011 shut up freaks and talk more about Kate Jackson and her real pain over losing the role. by Anonymous reply 72 11/14/2011 "when stating - Streep and Lane "stood up to Hoffman" are you implying that Hoffman was notoriously difficult to work with?" Hoffman is notoriously difficult to work with, very much so. Not that he's nasty, but he has a rep as an annoying, overbearing perfectionist. by Anonymous Meryl Streep Biography (Actor) Birthplace: Summit, New Jersey Best known as: The multi-Oscared star of Out of Africa and The Devil Wears Prada Meryl Streep has been nominated for 19 Academy Awards -- more than any other actor in history.

Meryl Streep first came to fame in 1979, when she won an Emmy for her performance in the TV miniseries Holocaust and was nominated for her first Oscar for the 1978 film The Deer Hunter (starring Robert DeNiro and Christopher Walken ). In 1980, Meryl Streep won an Oscar as best supporting actress for the 1979 divorce drama Kramer v. Kramer (co-starring Dustin Hoffman ). She was nominated again for The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981), and won again for Alan Pakula 's Sophie's Choice (1982, based on the novel by William Styron ). Nominations followed for Silkwood (1983, with Cher ), Out of Africa (1985, with Robert Redford ), Ironweed (1987, with Jack Nicholson ) and Postcards From the Edge (1991, with Shirley MacLaine ), among many other performances. Despite her successful forays into comedy, Meryl Streep is mostly known as a serious dramatic actress -- talented, intelligent and a specialist in accents and dialects.

Streep worked less while she raised a family during the 1990s, but she still turned in critically-acclaimed performances in television and film and racked up more Oscar nominations for films including The Bridges of Madison County (1995, opposite Clint Eastwood ), Music From the Heart (1999), Adaptation (2002, starring Nicolas Cage ), The Devil Wears Prada (2006, starring Anne Hathaway ) and Doubt (2008, with Philip Seymour Hoffman ). She played jolly chef Julia Child in the 2009 film Julie and Julia (with Amy Adams ) and earned her 16th nomination, then was nominated again as Margaret Thatcher in the 2011 film The Iron Lady. Her Oscar for that film was her third win. She was also nominated, yet again, for the 2013 film August: Osage County and the 2014 film Into the Woods. Extra credit: Meryl Streep married sculptor Donald Gummer in 1978. They have four children: Henry (b. 1979), Mary (nicknamed Mamie, b. 1983), Grace (b.

1986), and Louisa (b. 1991). Mamie Gummer is also an actress… Before her marriage to Gummer, Meryl Streep was engaged to actor John Cazale, who played Fredo in The Godfather. They never married, as Cazale died of bone cancer in 1978… Meryl Streep’s 2003 Oscar nomination for Adaptation was her 13th, establishing the new record for an actress. Katharine Hepburn had 12 nominations and four wins; animator and producer Walt Disney holds the all-time Oscar nomination record, with 64… Academy Award ceremonies are held the year after films are released, which is why (for instance) Streep’s Oscar for the 1978 film The Deer Hunter was given in 1979. Copyright © 1998-2017 by Who2?, LLC. All rights reserved. Meryl Streep biography | birthday, trivia | American Actor | Who2 Meryl Streep Biography Clips from various Charlie Rose shows Share this: Meryl Streep has been nominated for 19 Academy Awards — more than any other actor in history.

Meryl Streep first came to fame in 1979, when she won an Emmy for her performance in the TV miniseries Holocaust and was nominated for her first Oscar for the 1978 film The Deer Hunter (starring Robert DeNiro and Christopher Walken ). In 1980, Meryl Streep won an Oscar as best supporting actress for the 1979 divorce drama Kramer v. Kramer (co-starring Dustin Hoffman ). She was nominated again for The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981), and won again for Alan Pakula ‘s Sophie’s Choice (1982, based on the novel by William Styron ). Nominations followed for Silkwood (1983, with Cher ), Out of Africa (1985, with Robert Redford ), Ironweed (1987, with Jack Nicholson ) and Postcards From the Edge (1991, with Shirley MacLaine ), among many other performances. Despite her successful forays into comedy, Meryl Streep is mostly known as a serious dramatic actress — talented, intelligent and a specialist in accents and dialects.

Streep worked less while she raised a family during the 1990s, but she still turned in critically-acclaimed performances in television and film and racked up more Oscar nominations for films including The Bridges of Madison County (1995, opposite Clint Eastwood ), Music From the Heart (1999), Adaptation (2002, starring Nicolas Cage ), The Devil Wears Prada (2006, starring Anne Hathaway ) and Doubt (2008, with Philip Seymour Hoffman ). She played jolly chef Julia Child in the 2009 film Julie and Julia (with Amy Adams ) and earned her 16th nomination, then was nominated again as Margaret Thatcher in the 2011 film The Iron Lady. Her Oscar for that film was her third win. She was also nominated, yet again, for the 2013 film August: Osage County and the 2014 film Into the Woods. Extra credit Meryl Streep married sculptor Donald Gummer in 1978. They have four children: Henry (b. 1979), Mary (nicknamed Mamie, b. 1983), Grace (b.

1986), and Louisa (b. 1991). Mamie Gummer is also an actress… Before her marriage to Gummer, Meryl Streep was engaged to actor John Cazale, who played Fredo in The Godfather. They never married, as Cazale died of bone cancer in 1978… Meryl Streep’s 2003 Oscar nomination for Adaptation was her 13th, establishing the new record for an actress. Katharine Hepburn had 12 nominations and four wins; animator and producer Walt Disney holds the all-time Oscar nomination record, with 64… Academy Award ceremonies are held the year after films are released, which is why (for instance) Streep’s Oscar for the 1978 film The Deer Hunter was given in 1979.

Question: In what year was the multi Academy Award winning film 'Kramer v Kramer' released?
Answer: 1979